Charles Edward FRITH [1879-1937]

An article about him appeared on page 2 of The Hong Kong Telegraph, 1931-07-15:

THIRTY-SIX YEARS SERVICE.

MERITORIOUS RECORDS OF MR. CHARLES FRITH.

It is not given to many to have the distinction of 36 years continuous service with the Imperial and Hongkong Governments, yet this record was yesterday achieved by Mr. Charles Edward Frith, A.R.S.I., Chief Inspector of the Sanitary Department. Mr. Frith will be the recipient of hearty congratulations on this record.

Joining the Royal Marines in July, 1895, Mr. Frith saw service on the China station until May 1903, when he purchased his discharge, having reached the rank of lance-corporal. He saw his service with H.M.S. Isis, being concerned in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, assisting in rescue work in Shanghai, Amoy, and other coast towns. He also served under Admiral Knole in the relief of the Crete massacres in 1898. He was also awarded the China Medal.

From the Royal Marines, he entered the Royal Naval Yard Police Force, but purchased his discharge as lance-sergeant on August 20, 1904, and on the same day entered the service of the Hongkong Sanitary Department as third class inspector. In October, 1905, he was appointed second class inspector, and was raised to the first class degree in 1908. After returning from Home leave in 1922, he was appointed Senior Sanitary Inspector, and from January 1926, to June 1928, acted in the capacity of Chief Inspector. On June 10, 1928, he received the substantive appointment of Chief Inspector, which position he now holds.

Mr. Frith, in addition to 36 years continuous service, can also point to taking only two Home leaves during that period, while his health has been remarkably good. He is married and has his wife and family of five children living with him in Hongkong.

Mr. Frith, for the past 27 years, has been one of the most active and keenly-interested members of the Hongkong Volunteers, and says he intends to remain as such. His forte, and incidentally, his only hobby, is shooting, and for many years he headed the Volunteer Rifle team which competed in the Hongkong Rifle League.

He holds a gunnery certificate for which he qualified while on leave in 1911, and for which he had to pass a full gunnery instructor’s course at Lydd. He also holds the Volunteer Long Service Medal, which he gained as long as seven years ago.

His great interest in shooting has led him to act as Secretary or Assistant-Secretary to the annual Rifle Meeting for the past ten years but failing eyesight now robs him of partaking in the shoots. He was a member of the Volunteer shooting team which won the Belilios Shield for three years.

Mr. Frith rightly looks back on his record with a feeling of pride; and is now looking forward three years hence, by which time he will have qualified for a well-earned pension